One of the famous quotes attributed to Oscar Wilde is: "Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask and he will tell you the truth." This quotation is consistent with the notion that the truth is bitter even though the Bible states that the truth sets us free. The question then is if truth brings us into a place of liberty, why do many despise or forfeit the freedom and peace that accompanies the utterance of that which is right?
This piece explores the plight of Bahamians shaped by a culture of convenience and raised in an era of political expediency. We take a look at the challenges we face in standing up for what we believe in an environment that views conviction as a myth that is only suited for fairy tales and utopia. How much weight can we give to the content of the oration of our people in front of the lights of the camera, the recordings of the media, the platform of parliament and the boardrooms they grace? Are their words consistent when the music fades and they are away from the public's scrutiny?
The utility of masks
The use of masks is often associated with disguise to provide secrecy for certain actions of individuals and in some cases for illegitimate activities. The objective here is often the concealment of the identity of the person that wears the mask. This is why the few miscreants among us that carry out the heinous crimes around our archipelago of islands will sometimes opt to use masks in hopes that they will not be identified and brought to justice. However, there are also valid reasons why authorities protect the identity of individuals that provide leads or assist in some form in the interest of national security and to maintain the integrity of investigations by law enforcement agencies.
Outside of unique circumstances for national security reasons, including the case described above, there is no reason why our people should hide behind masks in order to speak the truth. Our country suffers and the new generation is being discouraged daily because our people are reluctant to stand on the right side of history due to political affiliation, long established friendships, business partnerships and allegiance to the status quo. The masked Bahamians have decided to place the future of the nation behind personal and selfish ambitions to our detriment. For persons that maintain their masks, they must determine which TV character best describes them: is it Zorro or Batman? Do they promote good or evil?
The nature and characteristics of the mask
The types of masks donned by Bahamians are for the most part determined by the interest group to which they belong, their fears and their allegiance to an organization. It follows therefore that while some will speak words that they do not believe in their hearts just to conform to the dictates of their groups others will tow the party line even when they know that the position being taken is illogical and detrimental to our nation.
On one side of this phenomenon are Bahamians that will not speak the truth in public but will willingly profess the same in private. On the other side are individuals that have worn these masks of convenience for so long that they have lost their identity and lost a sense of what is right or wrong. In essence they no longer know who they are or what their beliefs or convictions are. At the root of this loss or denial is often greed and what the Bible refers to as a morsel of bread which can only but satisfy for a short period of time with long-lasting consequences for our country.
The protection of anonymity
The advent of technology and evolution of mass media in The Bahamas has been pivotal in the deepening of our democracy. Bahamians have been provided with diverse avenues to express themselves and ensure that their voices are heard, especially on matters of national importance. The rise of social media has also added a unique dimension to the exercise of freedom of speech and communication between the populace and the political directorate.
Anonymity has become more pronounced in a new era where transparency and accountability is being demanded by emerging leaders within our commonwealth. As advocates of various causes put their cases forward, they are sometimes reluctant to speak in their own person for fear of marginalization or victimization by the powers that be. They are therefore inclined to put on the proverbial mask or engage in their discussions behind closed doors and in the comfort of their homes.
In the absence of the masks of anonymity and aliases, public demonstrations are often not well attended while participants are sometimes seen covering their faces. While the use of aliases may sometimes be justified, the faceless nature of contributors to the deepening of our democracy and advancement of our nation undermines the level of importance given to the message by the intended audience.
Lifting the veil in the national interest
The next level of greatness The Bahamas seeks to attain will require persons in the shadows or currently away from the forefront in the public discourse to emerge. There is hardly any great change or work that has been wrought without the active participation of the citizenry. It is simply no longer sufficient for Bahamians to be content with expressing their ideas for national development around the dining table or express any grievance via postings on social media.
We have a nation to build and Bahamians must be prepared to step up and step forward to play their part in making our nation the best it can be. No longer should our hearts or courage fail while we speak in our own person; the prerequisite here being that it should be for the common good of the populace and we must be united in love and service to our Bahamaland. Individuals speaking truth behind masks rob us of their identity and the much needed numbers to propel our country forward into a new paradigm.
Following in the footsteps of giants
On Thursday, November 21, 2014, former Cabinet minister and parliamentarian Warren J. Levarity was laid to rest following a state funeral. Several prominent Bahamians and political leaders paid tribute to a great Bahamian who was respected by persons on all sides of the political divide. In his tribute, Prime Minister Christie referred to the late Bahamian leader as "one of the heroes of the Peaceful Revolution."
The story has been and will continue to be told of the men and women of yesteryear that came forward (sometimes to their own peril) to bring about change in The Bahamas. If we - the Bahamians of this generation - hope to build on the work of our ancestors, we cannot be timid or afraid to stand up and sometimes alone for worthy causes. The level of support given to the government by the official opposition, political organizations, civic groups and Bahamians as a whole in relation to the immigration policy gives us hope that all is not lost. However, this cooperation and unity should not be confined to one policy or initiative but must extend to other national matters that do not go against our convictions.
Conclusion
And so this article concludes where it began; will our people be comfortable speaking in their own persons without the protection of a mask? Will we continue to utter the robotic politically correct rhetoric as opposed to the honest and factual comments our people demand? Will we make our voices heard regardless of the potential consequences in accordance with our beliefs or convictions? The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said it best when he stated that: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Looking forward into the future, the fundamental question to us as Bahamians that love this country is this: Will the real Bahamians stand or will we continue to put on masks? How long shall we continue to hide in caves or allow ourselves to be used as pawns in a game of chess?
When will we realize that to disagree with one another does not break the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood within our country? When will our leaders in government, politics, business and civic society come to accept that we can have different views and have sensible debates without demonizing one another? The discarding of the masks will become the norm only in a society that promotes tolerance, respect and national pride.
o Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments on this article can be directed to a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.
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